The goal of most homesteaders is to become self-sufficient, not relying on anyone for energy or food. The prepper and survivalist mentality is self-reliance.
While many preppers find ways to go off the grid in terms of electricity and water, they can struggle with food, with many still relying on grocery store shelves. Fortunately, there is a way to grow your food, make homemade canned goods, and maintain a supply of fresh food: subsistence farming.
Subsistence farming is about self-sufficiency. Farmers grow only what they need; they do not worry about excess to sell, only growing enough to sustain themselves and their families. The primary advantage of this farming technique is the potential for passive savings. Counter to popular belief; subsistence farming is not reserved for impoverished, third-world farmers; it is a tool for the well-educated and self-reliant.
A HISTORY LESSON
Subsistence farming is a practice stemming back to the Neolithic Revolution, approximately 12,500 years ago. During this time, people were transitioning from a primarily nomadic lifestyle to semi-permanent villages. Foraging for sustenance was no longer practical in villages, so societies created farmers who domesticated and cultivated various plant species.
THE UNIQUE ADVANTAGES
While operating a largescale commercial farm requires acreage and heavy machinery, subsistence farming only requires small plots of land. The smaller size and more controlled growth reduce the outgoing cost for the farmer. Other advantages to this style of agriculture include:
- Cultivation of perennial crops and saving of seeds reduces waste
- Free, natural fertilizer
- No transportation costs
- Few living expenses because of rural life
THE DISADVANTAGES
While subsistence farming is beneficial to homesteaders, there are still some disadvantages to the practice. The common issues include:
- Limited labor and production
- Potential catastrophic effects of nature
- Disease or contamination of crops
THE PRESENT AND FUTURE
While subsistence farming has deep historical roots, it is still a necessary form of agriculture in many parts of the world. According to a United Nations Study, nearly 25% of the world’s population still depend on this form of agriculture.
It is primarily used in developing regions, specifically Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and India. However, subsistence farming is also present in many developed parts of the world.
Many people discount the idea of subsistence farming in developed countries because the term implies necessity, but many have shown it to indicate self-sufficiency and sustainability. While many homesteaders might not rely on more primitive tools for their version of subsistence farming, the primary concept is still intact: growing and farming only what is necessary to feed oneself and family.
The modern world has gotten so used to excess. It is nothing to nearly 40% of the nation’s food supply wasted. It is expected, common even. Subsistence farming is a way to rethink food and need. It allows people to only focus on real need rather than want. If the mindset of the survivalist and prepper is self-reliance and self-sufficiency, subsistence farming is a part of that lifestyle.
What is your take on or experience with subsistence farming?